Rider-actuated toy

ABSTRACT

Versatile equestrian toy, for the provision of exercise, development of coordination, and entertainment, is adapted to be actuated by the rider, through the agency of fore and aft members pivotally attached to a body member, for galloping movements in either a forward or rearward direction. Movement of the mounted toy is effected by the properly timed forward and rearward leaning of the rider, controlling the position of tiltable seat means, coordinated with the application of pressure on hand (bridle) and foot (stirrup) bars. Steering is accomplished by the pivotal movement of the fore or aft members in raised position; more limited rider action permits the use of the toy as a rocking horse. The structural and functioning parts are sturdy and uncomplicated, and are readily assembled to provide a durable and useful toy.

ilite Czepiga RIDER-ACTUATED TOY [76] Inventor: Edward F. CZepiga, Prospect Court,

Woodbridge, Conn. 06525 [111 3,73,@7i June 12, 1973 Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Attorney-Joseph Fleischer [57] ABSTRACT Versatile equestrian toy, for the provision of exercise, development of coordination, and entertainment, is adapted to be actuated by the rider, through the agency of fore and aft members pivotally attached to a body member, for galloping movements in either a forward or rearward direction. Movement of the mounted toy is effected by the properly timed forward and rearward leaning of the rider, controlling the position of tiltable seat means, coordinated with the application of pressure hand (bridle) and foot (stirrup) bars. Steering is accomplished by the pivotal movement of the fore or aft members in raised position; more limited rider action permits the use of the toy as a rocking horse. The structural and functioning parts are sturdy and uncomplicated, and are readily assembled to provide a durable and useful toy.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEU I 3.738.6'M

sum-1 0r 2 EDWARD I. CZEP/GA INVENTOR yypfw ATTORNEY PATENTED 3.738.671

m1 2 nr 2 EDWARD I? CZEP/GA INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1 RIDER-ACTUATED TOY BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field This invention relates to a novel equestrian toy which is adapted for use in exercise or recreation as a toy which is capable of being actuated by the rider to move along a floor or other support either forwardly or rearwardly and which preferably can be steered.

2. Description of the prior art Toy horses have long been known, such as rocking horses and movable horses depending upon wheels for mobility. However, in this art, there has been a lack of a successful rider-actuated toy capable of galloping movement, and thus the exercize, entertainment and coordination promoting features thereof have not been available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, an'equestrian toy is provided which is adapted through coordinated actuation by the rider to move along a supporting surface. Desirably, the motion is in a galloping mode, wherein the foreleg member is raised and displaced above the support and dropped thereto, and then the hind member is caused to pass through similar movements, and the cycle may be repeated over and over. Generally, the motion along the support is in a forward direction, but may readily be effected rearwardly, when desired.

The objects of the invention have included mainly the provision of an equestrian toy which is adapted for forward or rearward movement along .a support through actuation by the rider, and which is thus capable of providing exercize, the development of coordination, and diversion for the user. Another object was to provide a stable and sturdy toy of this character which may readily be assembled with the use of uncomplicated parts.

These and related objectives have been accomplished in accordance with this invention through the provision of an equestrian toy comprising a substantially stable assembly of front, body and rear members, wherein the front and rear members are pivotally connected to the body portion, permitting the separate galloping movement of the fore and aft members, and wherein the body member is provided with pivoted seat means arranged to tilt backward, thereby imparting rearward pressure and movement to the aft leg member, when the rider leans backward, and to tilt forward with the rider as described and shown hereinafter.

The front portion of the toy animal is provided with a hand (bridle) bar fastened to the head or neck, the pulling or pushing of which effects the arcuate movement of the leg and foot (hoof) element,v centered about an intervening horizontal pivot, which movement is also effected by the pushing ofa foot rest or bar (stirrup) near the lower end of the foreleg. Steering may be accomplished by turning about a vertical pivot connecting the front and body portions.

The energy for moving the toy animalis thus supplied by the rider, largely through the arm, leg and thigh muscles and through changes in posture, whereby the weight can be centered in turn on the fore or aft foot members, thus permitting the other end to be raised above the support and to be moved a stride ahead or back, with or without turning. Stability is provided by arranging that the center of gravity of the toy, with or without rider, remains well within the volume defined by the body and leg elements.

The operation may be improved significantly and rendered smoother by the provision for the storage of energy through spring action during a portion ofa cycle and its use later in the cycle. Such provision enhances the exercise function of the toy as well as the enjoyment of its use.

The rhythm of the successful operation of the toy of this invention is generally acquired rapidly and the rider derives enjoyment from the motion accomplished through the properly coordinated muscular exertions and the changes in posture. More limited rider action permits the use of the toy as a rocking horse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying Figures of the drawing are diagrammatic illustrations of the toy of this invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in side elevation showing components, partly broken away as indicated, of a preferred embodiment, in orientation similar to that after assembly has been completed.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the fore portion of the toy animal, shown at the left-hand side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the body portion after assem' bly, with seat and head portions removed, shown in the center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the body portion after assembly, with some parts partly broken away.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the aft portion of the toy, shown at the right hand side of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6,7,8 and 9 are essentially side elevations,

partly in perspective and with side cover removed,

showing the toy animal at successive stages in a cycle of movement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows an exploded diagrammatic view of components in side elevation, the components being grouped from left to right in front, body and rear portions.

The front or fore portion comprises the head 10 of the toy animal, in this case a horse, which is firmly secured between a pair of leg elements 1 1. Rod 12, which serves as a hand grip, passes through these components and is rigidly fastened thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, legs 11 are set at a small angle, for example about 5 to 10, to the vertical, and are firmly secured to head 10 through wedge-shaped parts 13. Each leg 11 is provided near its lower end with an outwardly extending rod 14 which serves as a foot rest, and which may be inserted and fastened in any of a series of openings 15, thus being adjustable to suit the rider. Each leg is terminated by a firmly attached foot element 16, the travel surface of which is provided with a non-skid tread 17, for example of suitable rubber. Foot 16 is fastened to leg 11 at a forward angle of about 60 to preferably about 67.

The arcuate motion of foot elements 16 through pressure applied at either or both hand rod 12 or foot rod 14 is enabled by the provision of horizontal pivot pin 18 at a position between the rods. Preferably, the pivot 18 is placed closer to the hand rods 12, a greater foot stride distance being thus obtained for a given length of travel of head 10.

As indicated in FIG. 3, washers 19 are disposed along pivot 18 between the fore body cover and legs 11, in order to minimize friction. Pivot 18 also penetrates fore body top 20, which furnishes substantial support thereto.

The leg structure is strengthened by the provision of bracket 21, which is securely fastened to legs 11, and to which a central vertical eye-bolt 22, as shown in FIG. 2, is firmly attached. Above bracket 21, fore body covers 23 and 24 are provided, which together with top define what may be termed a steering chamber. The latter is completed by the provision of support brackets 25, which are attached through spacers 26 to covers 24 by means of pivot bolts 27. When assembly has been completed, the brackets extend rearwardly into the central body portion so as to provide necessary support and to facilitate the steering of the toy, the pivoted connection providing them with a limited freedom of movement that is essential.

The central body portion, shown in the center of FIG. 1, includes the body top 28 which constitutes a sturdy support for the rider and for essential operating elements. It is provided with a central longitudinal slot 29, wherein the seat support 30 is movably housed. The seat (saddle) 31 is secured to support 30 which is snugly received in a central slot formed in the bottom of the seat, by means of suitable nails or screws, supplemented if desired by an effective glue or cement.

Each of a pair of parallel bracket elements 32 is securely fastened to seat support 30 by bolts 33, and they are also joined below support 30 by bolt 34. Brackets 32 slope downwardly toward the rear and are provided with forwardly inclined front faces covered by a layer 35 of resilient shock-absorbing material, such as rubber or a suitable plastic.

A horizontal pivot rod 36 penetrates and is secured to the seat support 31 toward its back end is housed in a transverse groove 37 formed in the upper surface of top 28. Seat 31 may thus rotate about pivot rod 36 from a horizontal position to one of rearward tilt.

The fore end of top 28 is provided with an extension 38 of reduced width and with semi-circular front. In assembly with the front portion of the toy, part 38 is inserted beneath the semi-circular rear part 39 of fore cover 20. An oval member 40 is placed over part 39, and rectangular brace members 41 and 42 are positioned underneath part 38, with bolt openings aligned. Assembly is completed by inserting bolts 43 in place and fastening the nuts, the fore bolt 43 being the pivot about which the toy is steered. The main side covers 44 are then secured in place, for example by means of conventional screws.

The rear or aft portion, shown at the right in FIG. 1, comprises leg members 45 terminating in foot members 46. These are similar to fore feet 16, but are reversely oriented, and also have non-skid treads 47.

Feet 46 are securely attached to legs 45 at an angle of 50 to preferably about 55, indicated by reference letter A in FIG. 1. Also, legs 45 have lower portions forwardly displaced at an angle B of to 170, preferably The provision of the aforesaid angles adds features typical of horses, thus improving the appearance of the toy, but more importantly, essentially enhances the ease and smoothness in the desired functioning of the parts.

The legs 45 are buttressed by bracket 48, firmly secured thereto, and also by back cover 49, to which a decorative horse tail 50 may be attached. The above subassembly is pivotally connected to the body portion by aligning the parts and inserting pivot bolt 51 through the proper openings in legs 45, covers 44 and top 28, with the washers 52 being located between each leg 45 and the body portion, and then tightening nut 53 to complete the assembly.

The toy is then ready for use, as described in detail below. However, smoother operation is attained by providing for spring action which significantly improves the functioning. A light coil spring 54 may be attached at the aft end to an eyelet 55, fastened to bracket 48 about halfway between its center and a leg 45. The fore end of spring 54 may be attached to an eyelet 56 secured to the bottom face of body part 28, between one of the brackets 32 and cover 44. This light spring is tensioned when legs 45 are swung aft. The resulting forward pull plus the action of gravity causes the legs to return forward in a rapid swing in the situation when the legs are suspended above the support and the seat 31 is tilted rearwardly.

A stouter spring 57, preferably consisting of a tight coil of larger diameter than the above light spring, and capable of exerting a force of up to several pounds when extended, may connect the fore leg members 11 with seat 31 or one of its components. For example, the fore end of spring 57 may be attached to an eyelet 22 fastened at the center of the top surface of bracket 21, and the aft end of bolt 34 spanning seat brackets 32. Spring 57 is elongated, and thus placed under tension, when foot members 16 are caused to swing forward by pulling back hand grips 12 or by pushing foot rests 14 forward or both. Thereby, the force of tensioned spring 57 tends to return feet 16 to essentially the position shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, spring 57 is somewhat tensioned when seat 31 and associated components are pressed down from a rearwardly tilted position.

In the above embodiment, the structural components conveniently may be formed of wood material and the parts may be firmly secured together by conventional fastening means, for example by nails, screws or through glued joints.

It will be understood that other materials may be used advantageously, as, for example, parts may be molded of suitable plastic materials or weight-bearing components may be made of or reinforced with metal. The provision of metal in the leg and foot members may desirably furnish added strength and weight thereto, increasing the stability by lowering the center of gravity and offering the benefit of greater momentum, and thus of smoother operation, during the swinging movement in each stride. For mass production, molded plastic parts offer the advantage of combining a number of adjacent parts in single units rather than individual components which must later be joined together.

FIGS. 6 9 of the drawing illustrate in side view, partly in perspective, successive stages in a typical cycle of motion along a support. In these views, the main side cover 44 has been omitted, in order to show the operating relationships of essential components.

FIG. 6 represents the toy horse in a starting or rest position. The rider mounts, seating himself on the saddle 31, grasping rod 12 with each hand and placing a foot on each rest 14. In this position, front feet 16 have a forward upward tilt and hind feet 46 have a rearward upward tilt. Thus, limited forward and backward leaning by the rider permits the device to be used as a rocking horse and the rider merely rocks back and forth. In the position shown in FIG. 6, seat 31 is tilted, the rear facesof brackets 32 are in contact with rear leg bracket 48, front bracket layers 35 are in contact with the bottom surface of top 28, and springs 54 and.57 are unextended and untensioned.

Forward galloping motion is started by the rider leaning backward, his weight becoming centered toward the hind parts of the horse, while he presses foot rods 14 forward and pulls the hand rods 12 rearwardly, thus causing forelegs 11 to swing forward about pivot 18. Feet 16 are raised above the support and moved forward in relation thereto, as shown in FIG. 7. Also, spring 57 is thereby extended and placed under ten- SlOl'l.

The rider then leans forward, causing feet 16 to drop to the support, along which they have thus advanced, and causing the horse body to rock forwards, the fore end about pivot 18 and the aft end about pivot 51, to the position essentially as shown in FIG. 8. Seat 31 has likewise pivoted forward about rod 36, bracket members 32 are out of contact with top 28 and aft bracket 48, spring 57 has been further extended, and spring 54 is extended and placed under tension.

Then, the rider continues to lean forward thus centering his weight toward the fore end, causing fore foot members 16 to come into full contact with the support, as shown in FIG. 9, while the aft foot members 46 are raised above the support. By pressing his feet against rod 14 and hands against rod 12, the rider lifts himself somewhat above seat 31, permitting it to resume its tilted position. The hind legs 45 swing forward about pivot 51 through the action of gravity and of spring 54, and thereby, hind foot members 46 travel forward in relation to the support. The action of spring 57 pulls bracket members 32 forward, so that when the rider next leans backward, the hind portion of the horse drops to the support, restoring the position of FIG. 6 but with the horse displaced a stride forward, toward the left in the drawing.

Travel rearwardly along the support is likewise readily accomplished by reversing the above sequence. Thus, starting in the position of FIG. 6, the'rider operates to produce sequentially the positions shown in FIGS. 9, 8, 7 and back to that of FIG. 6, but displaced a stride toward the right of the drawing.

Steering to the right or left is accomplished easily during forward or reverse gallops while either the forelegs or hind legs are raised above the supporting surface. Thus, in the position of FIG. 7, the fore end of the horse is easily turned in the desired direction about fore pivot bolt 43 by the manipulation of hand grips 12. In the position of FIG. 9, the raised horse body can readily be turned in the desired direction about pivot 43 through pressure applied by the rider's leg or thigh.

Thus, movements are imparted to the toy animal by the rider's leanings back and forth, thereby controlling the position of the center of gravity of the toy and rider, and by the'pushing and pulling of the hand and foot rods. These movements are. readily learned and enjoyed, and indeed the operation soon becomes natural and instinctive. With respect to the speed of motion along the support, an essential key is the proper coordination of the riders actions, which generally improves with practice. The exercize feature is also significant, as the varied movements of the rider require the use of many muscles. Stability is assured by the outward inclination ofleg members 11 and 45 from the body portion to the support, thus providing for locating the center of gravity, with or without the rider, well within the volume defined by the legs and body of the toy.

It will be understood that the rider-actuated toy of this invention may be furnished in a range of sizes to suit a range of rider ages and heights. However, representative useful proportions will be quite similar in the various sizes, substantially as in an example in accordance with the above preferred embodiment. In the example, the top of head-l0 extends 14 inches vertically above the center of pivot 18, which is 19 inches vertically above the support surface and l9 inches from pivot 51, the latter being located 16 inches behind pivot 43 and 5 inches behind pivot rod 36. Correspondingly, brackets 32 are 12 inches long at the lower surface and have a depth of 2 inches, while feet 16 and 46 have an over-all length of 9 inches and depth including treads of 3 inches. The above dimensions are approximate values and subject to some variation. The values of various typical angles have been indicated previously. With the use of this example, the length of a stride is normally about 13 inches.

As indicated above, considerable latitude is available with respect to structural materials, the use of suitable plastics being advantageous in simplifying the assembly by the use of molded parts, whereby the number of individual components may be reduced.

As previously indicated, the toy animal is operable without the use of spring action, although the stride movements then require the exertion of somewhat greater effort and occur not quite so smoothly. Good operation may be obtained with the use of a single spring, for example, one similar to but lighter than coil spring 57 attached between leg brackets 21 and 48, and which if desired, may be fastened at an intermediate point to a body component.

Another modification which may at times be useful is the provision of a single handle pivotally connected to both ends of hand rods 12, thus permitting the manipulation of the fore portion, including the control of direction, with one hand, leaving the other hand free for desired activities, for example, for handling a lariat or for hitting a ball as in a miniature polo game.

A further feasible modification is the provision of a variety of animal forms for the toy in addition to horses and ponies. For example, the toy may be furnished in the form of zebras, lions, tigers, giraffes, or other land or sea animals.

Other variations which are known or may occur to those skilled in the art may likewise be incorporated in the rider-actuated toy of this invention without departing from its spirit and purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rider-actuated toy of the type having a body, front and rear leg members pivotally mounted on said body and adapted to effect its movement along a supporting surface, and hand and foot contact means attached to said front leg member for actuation thereof,

' the combination comprising:

a seat assembly mounted on said body having a seat support extending through said body, a seat above said body, and seat bracket means below said body, said seat and bracket means being fastened to said support, said assembly being held in tiltable relationship to said body to coordinate said movement,

7 8 said bracket means having front and rear end faces on forward tilting of said seat assembly.

adapted to be moved into and out of Contact with 2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said body and rear leg member respectively, attainspring means are attached to and extend between said mg said contact when said front and rear leg memfront leg member and said bracket means, said spring bers are at normal rest position of minimal separation and Said Seat assembly is rearwardly tilted means being untensloned at said normal rest position,

and said bracket means being adapted in said posiand being under tension at other P tion to transmit pressure to said rear leg member 

1. In a rider-actuated toy of the type having a body, front and rear leg members pivotally mounted on said body and adapted to effect its movement along a supporting surface, and hand and foot contact means attached to said front leg member for actuation thereof, the combination comprising: a seat assembly mounted on said body having a seat support extending through said body, a seat above said body, and seat bracket means below said body, said seat and bracket means being fastened to said support, said assembly being held in tiltable relationship to said body to coordinate said movement, said bracket means having front and rear end faces adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said body and rear leg member respectively, attaining said contact when said front and rear leg members are at normal rest position of minimal separation and said seat assembly is rearwardly tilted, and said bracket means being adapted in said position to transmit pressure to said rear leg member on forward tilting of said seat assembly.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein spring means are attached to and extend between said front leg member and said bracket means, said spring means being untensioned at said normal rest position, and being under tension at other positions. 